JP2013539374A - Protective wound shield - Google Patents

Abstract

A lightweight semi-rigid wound shield shields the wound and intradermal treatment port from impact between treatment sessions. The wound shield comprises a dome shaped cover that forms a concave cavity above the wound or treatment port. A flange surrounding the cavity is pressed against the patient's skin to deflect and disperse the impact force. The flange may include a self-adhesive layer at the bottom of the flange, or secure the flange using a medical tape or a tight bandage that overlays the flange and surrounding skin. A release film covers the adhesive layer. A tunnel through the flange may connect to a cavity that fits into the treatment tube, which remains in place while the shield is attached. In an alternative embodiment, the base conforming to the flange adheres to the skin of the patient, and the wound shield is removably coupled to the base by the flange. The assembly is provided in a sterile envelope or package.
[Selected figure] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates generally to medical wound dressings, and more particularly to wound dressings covering intradermal chemotherapy and other therapeutic ports adapted for periodic re-use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flanged rigid or semi-rigid dome shaped cover adapted to protect such ports or wounds from impact.

  Patients undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments often have an intradermal access port set up to allow regular infusion of therapeutic fluid. These can be very sensitive and even slight impact on the access port can be quite painful. The probability of a shock event is high, especially when physically active patients or access ports are placed at specific locations on the patient's body. A sterile protective cover is needed which protects such intradermal therapeutic ports from most impacts.

  Some wounds can be very sensitive even during healing. Typical gauze bandages are effective in keeping such wounds hygienic and sterile, but provide little or no impact resistance. A protective cover is needed to shield the wound from impact.

  A lightweight rigid or semi-rigid wound shield protects the wound and intradermal therapeutic port from painful and potentially harmful impacts while the patient routinely performs daily activities between treatment sessions. The wound shield comprises a truncated dome shaped cover that forms a concave cavity above the wound or treatment port. A flange surrounding the cavity is pressed against the patient's skin to deflect and disperse the impact force. The flange includes a self-adhesive layer at the bottom of the flange that provides self-adhesiveness to the wound shield. Additionally or alternatively, the wound shield may be disposed on the flange and secured using a medical tape or a tight adhesive web that overlies the surrounding skin. A release film covers the adhesive layer. A tunnel through the flange may connect to a cavity that fits into the treatment tube, which remains in place while the shield is attached. In an alternative embodiment, the base conforming to the flange adheres to the skin of the patient, and the wound shield is removably coupled to the base by the flange. The assembly is provided in a sterile envelope or package.

  The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention may be set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself as well as preferred modes of use and further objects and advantages of the invention will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. .

Figure 1 shows in a perspective view a preferred embodiment of the inventive protective wound shield in place on the patient's shoulder. FIG. 2 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention similar to FIG. 1 including a tube tunnel through a flat flange surrounding a dome. Fig. 2 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of the invention similar to Fig. 1 including a tube tunnel through a flat flange surrounding the dome. FIG. 2 shows a right side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention similar to FIG. 1, including a tube tunnel through a flat flange surrounding a dome. FIG. 7 shows a top view of the circular first alternative embodiment of the present invention without a tube tunnel. FIG. 6 shows an elevation view of a first alternative circular embodiment of the present invention without a tube tunnel. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention having a curved flange. FIG. 6 shows a front view of an embodiment of the invention having a curved flange. FIG. 7 shows a side view of an embodiment of the invention having a curved flange. FIG. 5 shows a second alternative alternative embodiment of the invention in a perspective view. FIG. 10 shows a third alternative embodiment of the square of the invention in a perspective view. FIG. 8 shows in plan view a second alternative embodiment of FIG. 7 surrounding the bottom of the flange and carrying an adhesive layer coextensive with the flange, including a release layer protecting the flange during storage. FIG. 8 illustrates in partial cross section a second alternative embodiment of FIG. 7 surrounding the bottom of the flange and carrying an adhesive layer coextensive with the flange, including a release layer protecting the flange during storage. The bottom view shows a preferred embodiment of the invention with the release film covering and protecting the bottom of the provided adhesive layer during storage of the present invention. FIG. 9C shows in a bottom perspective view a preferred embodiment of the release layer of FIG. 9C, where the release layer covers the dome cavity as well. FIG. 2 shows in plan view the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 enclosing a flange and carrying a self-adhesive bandage disposed above the flange. Fig. 3 shows in partial cross section the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 enclosing a flange and carrying a self-adhesive bandage arranged above the flange. FIG. 6 shows in a bottom perspective view a second alternative embodiment of the invention with the release film covering and protecting the bottom of the provided adhesive layer during storage of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows a second alternative embodiment of the release layer of FIG. 11 in a bottom perspective view, with the release layer covering the dome cavity as well. FIG. 10 illustrates the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 carrying the self-adhesive bandage shown in FIG. 9 enclosed in a sterile envelope package. Fig. 14 shows another alternative embodiment of the invention having a base adhered to the patient's skin and surrounded by a flange dome similar to that of Fig. 5 joined to the base by a flexible hinge. FIG. 15 shows an alternative embodiment of FIG. 14 in plan view. The alternative embodiment of FIG. 14 showing the base and adhesive layer of this embodiment is detailed in cross-section elevation as shown in FIG.

  Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the shield 10 of the present invention is shown in place at the site 2 of the patient 1 who is the user, in this case the chest, and is held in place by the circular bandage 30. Projecting from below the bandage 30, a tube 5 may extend through the tunnel 20 below the shield 10 and connect to a treatment port (not shown) below the shield 10.

  The shield 10 comprises a dome 11 forming a concave cavity 12 facing upwards on the part 2. The cavity 12 is raised at its apex, preferably at least 1/2 inch above the plane of the site 2, any treatment port junctions, bandages or other objects of interest (not shown) Provides a space that can extend inside. Thereby, the dome 11 provides a protective roof on the site 2 adapted to reduce or eliminate clothing, stray hand contact with the site 2 or unexpected collisions that may strike the site 2 .

  A flange 13 surrounds the dome 11 and extends radially outwardly from the dome 11 and is integral with the dome 11 at the periphery to provide an extension of the engagement surface of the shield 10 near the site 2 of the skin of the patient 1 Mount on top. In most applications, the flange 13 is preferably about 1/2 inch wide, but may change the width of the flange 13 towards the larger shield 10 and the smaller shield 10 One skilled in the art will recognize.

  Furthermore, preferably, in most applications, the flanges 13 are generally flat and occupy a single plane. However, in certain applications, such as the leg of the patient 1 or another more curved body part 2 (not shown), the flange 13 is curved along any major axis and minor axis to One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the curvature may match exactly. For example, FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an embodiment of the present invention in which the flange 13 is convexly curved along the major axis A and concavely along the minor axis B. FIGS. Such a configuration works well with the patient's arm (not shown) where there is a wound site 2, which may not be flat enough.

  In FIGS. 1 to 6 the shield 10 is shown as substantially circular and the dome 11 is represented as a truncated sphere in the plane occupied by the flange 13. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that shield 10 may comprise any number of other shapes, such as oval 110 or square 210 (see FIGS. 7-9) without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. . In such a case, each of the flanges 113, 213 conforms to the shape of the respective peripheral edge of the domes 111, 211.

  Similarly, one skilled in the art recognizes that shields 10, 110, 210 may be of any size necessary to cover site 2 and to adequately protect the internal wound or treatment port (neither shown). Try. Preferably, the shields 10, 110, 210 for most applications, including the flanges 13, 113, 213, are about 5 inches (12.7 cm) in diameter. Where larger or smaller domes 11, 111, 211 are required for different applications, the flanges 13, 113, 213 are preferably about 1⁄2 inch (1. 2 inches) surrounding the perimeter of the domes 11, 111, 211. 27 cm).

  Remarks: Therefore, as used herein, all forms of shields considered to be in accordance with the present invention, including all corresponding components of shield 10 having other reference numbers, are a reference to the preferred embodiment of shield 10 Referenced using a number. Particular reference is made to the embodiment or component of the embodiment to be used, only when a specific shape of the alternative embodiment, such as the shields 110, 210, is required. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such considerations are equally applicable to such alternative embodiments, unless the reverse is specifically stated.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10, a tunnel 20 located at at least one location on the periphery of the dome 11 provides access of the tube 5 into the cavity 12 through the flange 13 Do. Especially in the case of the treatment port (not shown), the tube 5 may have to stay in place while routinely performing everyday life, even while the patient 1 is between treatment sessions or even during a treatment session Those skilled in the art will recognize. For example, chemotherapeutic fluid may be periodically injected into the treatment port over a day from a source such as a portable machine (not shown) carried or worn by the patient 1. In other cases, the tube 5 may be left in place and secured to the patient 1's torso for subsequent therapeutic treatment from a fixed machine or equipment (neither is shown). In all such cases, the medical tape or other means (not shown) so that the tube 5 remains in place and extends from the treatment port under the cavity 12 and does not move or stimulate the site 2 Are fixed at predetermined positions on the patient 1's torso.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shield 10 is surrounded by a continuous flange 13 which does not have a tunnel 20 which breaks the flange 13. The shield 10 simply covers the site 2 without providing access to the cavity 12. Such an arrangement may be used, for example, to cover a simple wound which may be particularly painful or sensitive and which does not require the tube 5 to be left in place. In such cases, the cavity 12 functions as described above to prevent unwanted contact with the garment or other unwanted impacts. However, in other applications, if the tube 5 has to stay in place, the embodiment of the shield 10 with the tunnel 20 proves to be more useful. However, one skilled in the art will also recognize that the shield 10 without the tunnel 20 can be used with the tube 5 by simply extending the tube 5 under the flange 13 as shown in FIGS. However, this configuration has the risk of collapsing the tube 5 under the flange 13 and may also cause the flange 13 to be removed from the skin of the patient 1 due to the separated distance on both sides of the tube 5, the sterility integrity of the cavity 12 Require additional tape or other sealing measures.

  The tunnel 20 is preferably formed as a downwardly open concave channel with an open bottom side flush with the bottom 15 of the flange 13. The tunnel 20 extends radially outward from the cavity 12 to the periphery of the flange 13, thereby forming a gap in the flange 13 wide enough for the tube 5 to fit. The arch 21 formed by the tunnel 20 always extends over the flange 13 and intersects the dome 11 radially inward towards the center of the shield 10 to the extent that the curvature of the dome 11 requires. The arch 21 integrates seamlessly with the dome 11 at the intersection point to ensure the integrity of the cavity 12.

  The shapes of the arch 21 and the tunnel 20 can vary. For example, the arch 21 may be a perfect semicircle having a radius equal to twice the outer diameter of the tube 5. This allows the bottom of the tube 5 and the flange 13 to be flush with the skin of the patient 1 and the flange 13 is fully engaged with the skin without appreciably pressing the tube 5. Such an arrangement may be important in some cases to prevent discomfort to the patient 1. However, if this configuration should leave a peripheral gap between the tube 5 and the widest part of the arch 21 and the tunnel 20 on both sides of the tube 5 and maintain the sterility integrity of the cavity 12, a nurse (see FIG. One skilled in the art will recognize that other users, such as not shown) or Patient 1, must seal with the medical tape.

  Alternatively, the arch 21 has a radius approximately equal to the outer diameter of the tube 5 but may be arranged on the flange 13 by the same distance, and the resulting vertical separation extends downward from the arch 21 to the flange 13 and Closed by intersecting vertical tunnel walls (not shown). This configuration greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the peripheral gap between the tube 5 and the tunnel 20, and thus also requires a tape, but perhaps not as much. The advantage of such an arrangement is that the tube 5 and the flange 13 remain flush with the skin of the patient 1 to maximize the closure of the cavity 12 without even using medical tape.

  As another alternative, the tunnel 20 is integral to the flange 13 while having the proper diameter for inserting the tube 5 from within the cavity 12 through the tunnel 20 before the flange 13 engages the skin of the patient 1 Or may be disposed on the flange 13 (none shown). Additionally, the tunnel 20 can include a short section fixed to the flange 13 and extending into the cavity 12 to couple to a treatment port connection (not shown). Such tunnel 20 can further have a nozzle (not shown) extending outwardly beyond the radius of the flange 13 to provide a place where the tubes 5 can be joined. Those skilled in the art will recognize that all such configurations of tunnel 20 are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

  With any shape, size, or configuration of tunnel 20, shield 10 must adhere to site 2 so that it does not slide down and fail to provide the desired protection. This may be accomplished by simply taping the shield 10 to the site 2 using any number of readily available medical tapes adapted to secure the bandage on the skin of the patient 1. A plurality of the above-mentioned tapes (not shown) are arranged at chordal positions on the periphery of the flange 13 and overlap the skin of the patient 1 near the site 2. The width and type of the tape so used is preferably of a suitable size and adheres to the skin of the patient 1 but is adapted to be easily removable from the skin of the patient 1 without causing scars Except for the inclusion of standard medical tapes.

  Referring now also to FIGS. 9A-9D, alternatives to the medical tape appear. The flange adhesive 17 is disposed under the flange 13 so as to engage the skin of the patient 1 when the flange 13 is disposed around the site 2 and the peripheral edge of the dome 11 in substantially the same size as the flange 13 Surround. The so equipped shield 10 may be used alone as a self adhesive protection of site 2. A release film 18 protects the flange adhesive 17 from contamination and retains adhesion until used at site 2, as described in more detail below with respect to the preferred embodiment utilizing the bandage 30.

  Another optional alternative to the medical tape shown in FIGS. 10A-12 is a bandage 30 disposed on the flange 13 and overlapping the skin of the patient 1 to secure the shield 10 in place around the site 2. Equipped with Preferably, the bandage 30 comprises a flexible web 31 of suitable plastic or fibrous material shaped to the size and shape of the flange 13. If the flange 13 is circular, the bandage 30 has an internal diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of the flange 13 so that the bandage 30 is juxtaposed to the dome 11 all around but leaving the dome 11 uncovered. The outer periphery of the bandage 30 extends beyond the outer periphery of the flange 13 by at least the width of the flange 13 so that it overlaps the skin of the patient 1 by that amount. The bandage adhesive 35, when disposed on the top of the flange 13, adheres to the flange 13 and coats the entire bottom surface 34 of the web 31 so as to hold the bandage 30 firmly on the shield 10. The portion of the bandage 30 extending beyond the flange 13 is engaged with the skin of the patient 1 using a bandage adhesive 35 to secure the entire device in place around the site 2.

  The exfoliation protective layer 37 disposed below the bandage 30 keeps the adhesive layers 17 and 35 unexposed until such time as the bandage 30 is required. The protective layer 37 can take several forms. If an adhesive means 17 is provided on the shield 10, or if only the flange adhesive 17 is provided on the shield 10, the bandage 30 can be provided separately as an optional alternative to the medical tape. In such case, the protective layer 37 is preferably coextensive with the bottom of the bandage 30 and is at the bottom of the bandage 30. Alternatively, if a bandage 30 already installed on the shield 10 is provided (similar to FIGS. 1, 7 and 10: see also FIG. 13 described in more detail later), the flange adhesive 17 may be used You do not have to use it at all. If the flange adhesive 17 is present, the peel protection layer 37 may extend only on the portion of the web 31 outside the periphery of the flange 13, the flange adhesive layer 18 covering the flange adhesive 17. However, in such a case, preferably, the protective layer 37 is a continuous laminate both in a bandage adhesive 35 and a flange adhesive 18 that can be easily removed in a single movement, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. It extends over. As shown in FIG. 11, such a release layer 37 is coextensive with the bandage 30 and the flange 13 but does not cover the cavity 12. Alternatively, the release layer 37 can cover the cavity 12 as shown in FIG. 12, thereby further ensuring the sterility integrity of the cavity 12 while the shield 10 is stored. Those skilled in the art will recognize that all such configurations are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

  Referring now also to FIG. 13, the package of shield 10 preferably comprises a sterile envelope adapted to include a single shield 10. The package 50 comprises two, preferably coextensive, stacks 51, 53 of suitable web material adapted to be sealed together at mutually peripheral edges generally surrounding one shield 10. Preferably, at least one of the stacks 51, 53 comprises a transparent material, through which the shield 10 can be seen. The package 50 may include resilient means 55, which allow the package 50 to be opened and closed, but preferably the package 50 provides the shield 10 with a sterile storage environment that is only opened when in use. Those skilled in the art will recognize that all reasonable package configurations, including bulk non-sterile packages (not shown), are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

  Referring now to FIGS. 14-16, another optional feature of the present invention is applied to the skin of the patient 1 using the adhesive layer 17 as described above for the preferred alternative embodiments 10, 110, 210. It comprises a hinged protective cover 60 with a base 63 adapted to be glued. The flange 13 is connected to the base 63 by the hinge 61, and the flange 13 surrounding the dome 11 has approximately the same extent as the base 63 and fits to the base 63 and is adapted to cover the damaged area 2 as described above Be done. A second adhesive layer 65 secures the bottom of the flange 13 to the base 63 and holds the dome 11 in place while the patient 1 routinely performs daily life. The cover 60 provides a means to provide repeated access to the site 2 without the need to completely remove and replace the present invention each time. By lifting the flange 13 away from the base 63 at the edge opposite to the hinge 61, the user removes the second adhesive layer 65 from the base 63 and opens the dome 11 and the flange 13 (as shown in FIG. 14). ). Tabs (not shown) may be provided on the flange 13 opposite the hinges 61 to assist in the separation of the flange 13 from the base 63. Once the purpose of accessing site 2 is achieved, the second adhesive layer 65 is again adhered again by simply pressing the flange 13 against the base 63 and the dome 11 is held on site 2 and protected.

  The cover 60 has been described above as having the hinge 61 and the second adhesive layer 65 in order to achieve the desired result of making the part 2 repeatedly accessible, without having to reinstall the cover 60 each time. Other means, such as replacing the second adhesive layer 65 with a Velcro layer (generally known as Velcro), with or without the hinge 61, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present embodiment of the invention One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the dome 11 may be temporarily removable, and that all such temporary adhesive means are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

  The shield 10 is preferably made of a rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic material that can be easily molded into the desired shape described above through conventional injection molding processes. More preferably, the shield 10 is made of a medical grade polyester that is itself sterilizable and does not release or peel off its own contaminants that can compromise the integrity of the cavity 12. Such material is preferably about 43/1000 (0.043 ") inches thick (1.092 mm). Even more preferably, the shield 10 is transparent or translucent to provide visual feedback while positioning the shield on the site 2 as described below. Suitable polyesters for the shield 10 include model numbers Prime PETG6763 or PETG14471, both of which are available from Primex Plastics Corporation, Richmond, Indiana, USA. Adhesives 17, 35 are preferably made from hypoallergenic medical adhesives designed to maintain adhesion with human skin, commonly used in bandages and medical tapes. Similarly, the bandage 30 can be made of flexible polyethylene plastic or fabric commonly used in the manufacture of such self-adhesive bandages. A product suitable for bandage 30 containing adhesive 35 is available as Product No. DM-6001 from DermaMed Coatings Company, LLC, Tallmadge, Ohio, USA. Primary adhesives 17 suitable for the flange 13 and base 63 are described in St. Available from Paul's 3M Medical Specialties Company as Product No. 9943. A supplemental adhesive 63 suitable for the interface between the flange 13 and the top of the base 63 may be found in St. Available from Paul's 3M Medical Specialties Company as Product No. 9833. The release layers 37, 18 are also preferably made of flexible polyethylene plastic, made as two parts, one part overlapping the other, convenient means for the user to remove the release layers 37, 18 when needed. I will provide a.

  In operation, a shield 10 of a suitable size and shape applicable to site 2 is selected and removed from package 50. The exfoliation layer 37 is removed and the cavity 12 is inverted over the site 2 so that all parts of the flange 13 are approximately equidistant from the wound or treatment port of the site 2. If the tube 5 has to be left in place, it is taped to a position extending from the part 2. Next, a suitable shield 20 having a tunnel 20 through the flange 13 is selected, and the tunnel 20 is directed across the tube 5. The shield 10 is then fixed in place by pressing the shield 10 against the skin of the patient 1 until the adhesive 35 is sufficiently bonded to the skin of the patient 1 and holds the shield 10 in place. Ru. If desired, the user can supplement the bandage 30 and the flange adhesive 17 with a medical tape to ensure that the 10 remains in place even under physical impact from sports activities.

  Thus, the shield 10 described herein in a preferred alternative embodiment provides a lightweight, rigid or semi-rigid cover of the patient 1's wound and treatment port that is utilized while routinely performing daily life. The shield 10 avoids or dramatically softens the impact on site 2 or its surroundings, stressing patient 1 while the patient is undergoing treatment requiring a treatment port, or while the large wound is just healing. Gives less experience and less pain.

  Although the invention has been particularly illustrated and described with reference to preferred alternative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be done. For example, while the shield 10 has been described above as being transparent, in some cases it may be preferable to be opaque so as to conceal the treatment port and / or the wound. Further, the bandage 30 has been described as not to cover the dome 11 but to surround the dome 11 in this specification. However, the bandage 30 instead covers the dome 11 partially or entirely (none shown), whereby the shield 10 has a possibly more conventional and desirable aesthetic appearance, the shield 10 and its It better mimics the traditional self-adhesive bandage that at least partially hides the underlying treatment port or wound. In addition, although the bandage 30 has been described herein as being continuous with the periphery of the dome 11, instead, the flange 13 is selected at a selected position around the dome 11 without covering the flange 13 entirely. It may comprise bandage material (not shown) adapted to be placed across.

  The dome 11 is also discussed herein as being continuous, and in particular, functioning to seal the wound site 2 from environmental contamination. However, the dome 11 can include one or more breathing holes that allow the fresh air to reach the wound site 2 while evaporating the sweat.

Claims (20)

A protective wound shield for covering a wound site on a patient's skin, having a longitudinal major axis and a lateral short axis,
A flange having a flange bottom surface and an opposing flange top surface, the flange further having a flange outer peripheral edge surrounding a flange internal margin adapted to surround the wound site;
A concave dome coupled to the flange inner margin and extending across the wound site to define an inner shielding cavity;
Adhesive means for adhering the wound shield to the skin of the patient;
Equipped with a protective shield.   The protective shield of claim 1, wherein the bonding means comprises a bonding layer disposed on at least a portion of the flange bottom. The bonding means is
A bandage at least partially surrounding the dome margin and adapted to overlap the flange and the skin of the patient, wherein the bandage adheres to both the upper surface of the flange and the skin of the patient surrounding the flange outer periphery A protective shield according to claim 1, having a bandage lower surface carrying an adhesive layer adapted to do so.   At least one tunnel means communicating the inner shielding cavity with the flange outer periphery, the tunnel means being adapted to pass a medical tube through the shield cavity, the wound shield on the wound site The protective shield of claim 1 in a predetermined position.   The tunnel means comprises a portion of the flange which deflects upwards from the upper surface of the flange and which forms an aperture therein which extends into the shielding cavity internally under the flange, the aperture being at least one of the medical tube 5. A protective shield according to claim 4, having a size to receive and enclose a portion without gaps, and is so adapted.   5. A protective shield according to claim 4, wherein the tunnel means is arranged coaxially with one of the main shielding axis and the short shielding axis.   The protection shield according to claim 1, wherein the flange is convexly curved along at least one of the main shielding axis and the shielding short axis.   The protective shield according to claim 1, wherein the flange is concavely curved along at least one of the main shielding axis and the short shielding axis.   The flange according to claim 1, wherein the flange is convexly curved along one of the shielding main axis and the shielding short axis, and concavely curved along the other of the shielding main axis and the shielding short axis. Protection shield. A base adapted to the flange and disposed between the flange and the skin of the patient, the base upper surface, the base lower surface, and a base outer peripheral edge surrounding the inner base margin;
Bonding means for bonding the base to the patient's skin;
Closing means for closing the shielding cavity by fixing the flange to the base;
The protective shield of claim 1, further comprising:   The protective shield of claim 10, further comprising a hinge coupled between the base and the flange.   11. A protective shield according to claim 10, wherein the closing means comprises an adhesive laminate disposed on at least a portion of the flange bottom and adapted to releasably adhere to a corresponding portion of the top surface of the base.   The bonding means comprises a bandage at least partially surrounding the base inner margin and adapted to overlap the base and the skin of the patient, wherein the bandage covers the upper surface of the base and the outer periphery of the base. 11. A protective shield according to claim 10, comprising a lower surface of a bandage having an adhesive layer adapted to adhere to both of the skins. A protective shield for an intradermal access port site on a patient's skin, having a longitudinal major axis and a lateral minor axis,
A flange having a flange bottom surface and an opposing flange top surface, the flange further having a flange outer periphery surrounding a flange inner margin adapted to surround the access port portion;
A concave dome coupled to the flange inner margin and extending across the access port site to define an inner shielding cavity;
At least one tunnel communicating the inner shielding cavity with the flange outer periphery, the at least one tunnel adapted to receive a medical tube extending into the shielding cavity at the access port site;
An annular base disposed between the flange and the patient's skin, the annular base having a base upper surface, a base lower surface, and a base outer periphery surrounding a base inner margin;
Bonding means for bonding the base to the patient's skin;
A hinge coupled between the base and the flange;
Closing means for closing the shielding cavity by fixing the flange to the base;
Equipped with a protective shield.   15. A protective shield according to claim 14, wherein the closure means comprises an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the lower surface of the flange and adapted to releasably adhere to a corresponding portion of the upper surface of the base.   The bonding means comprises a bandage adapted to overlap the base and the skin of the patient, the bandage securing the bandage to both the upper surface of the base and the skin of the patient surrounding the outer periphery of the base A protective shield according to claim 14, having a lower surface carrying an adhesive layer adapted to.   15. The protective shield of claim 14, wherein the flange and the base conform to one another and curve along at least one of the shielding major axis and the shielding minor axis. An improved method of protecting an intradermal access port site on a patient's skin, wherein the intradermal access port provides periodic access through the patient's skin and medical treatment coupled to the access port site Adapted to administer a therapeutic infusion through the delivery tube, said improved method comprising
Providing a substantially rigid shield adapted to cover the access port site, the shield comprising:
An annular flange sized to surround the access port portion, the annular flange having a lower flange surface, an upper flange surface, an inner flange margin, and an outer flange margin;
A concave dome coupled to the flange inner margin and extending across the access port site to define an inner shielding cavity,
Providing a shield with adhesive means for adhering the rigid shield to the patient's skin,
Placing the rigid shield on the patient's skin, with the annular flange surrounding the access port site, and securing the rigid shield to the patient's skin using the adhesive means , Improved way. The rigid shield is
At least one radially disposed tunnel communicating the inner shielding cavity with the flange outer margin, the tunnel being from outside the flange outer margin while the shield is disposed on the access port site. Adapted to receive the medical tube extending into the shielding cavity;
The improved method is
Coupling the medical tubing to the intradermal access port site;
Extending the medical tube through the radially disposed tunnel;
The improved method of claim 18, further comprising: The rigid shield is
An annular base substantially conforming to the annular flange and having an upper base surface and a lower base surface, the annular base adapted to be disposed between the annular flange and the patient's skin;
A hinge coupled between the annular base and the annular flange;
An adhesive layer disposed between the base top surface base and the flange bottom surface and adapted to releasably secure the annular flange to the annular base;
And further
The improved method follows the utilizing step;
Biasing the annular flange upwardly from the top surface of the base until the adhesive layer releases the annular flange to provide temporary access to the internal shielding cavity;
Adding the annular flange again on the annular base to releasably secure the annular flange to the annular base to the adhesive layer, thereby again sealing the inner shielding cavity ,
19. The improved method of claim 18, comprising repeatedly executing.

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